CBD Proven to Enhance Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Patients

CBD Proven to Enhance Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Patients

By: 710 Editor

Mice with pancreatic cancer treated with a mix of cannabidiol (CBD) and radiation survived nearly 3 times longer than those treated with radiation alone, in line with another study that spotlights the potential for human treatment.

CBD, the non-psychoactive (non-intoxicating) compound in marijuana, has already been shown to enhance the side effects of chemotherapy like nausea and vomiting. the latest results gave a lot of justification for testing in humans, building on previous animal research that uncovered potential anti-cancer properties of the compound.

“Cannabidiol is already approved for use in clinics [in the UK], which means we are able to quickly go on to test this in human clinical trials,” said lead researcher Marco Falasca from Queen Mary University of London.

While human trials involving CBD as a cancer treatment could move quicker within the UK, similar efforts may face obstacles within the U.S., where CBD derived from marijuana continues to be considered an illegal (Schedule 1) substance under federal law. Progress is being created, however, with the United States FDA approving the first drug comprised of CBD to treat severe styles of brain disorder in June of this year.

Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest types of cancer in the world in terms of overall survival rates. According to the American Cancer Society, for all stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the annual relative survival rate is two hundredth, and therefore the five-year rate is just below seven-membered. It’s the 12th commonest cancer globally, with the highest incidence occurring in developed countries.

“The life expectancy for pancreatic cancer patients has barely changed in the last 40 years because there square measure very few, and mostly solely palliative care, treatments available,” Dr. Falasca added during a press statement. “Given the five-year survival rate for people with pancreatic cancer is less than seven percent, the discovery of new treatments and therapeutic strategies is desperately needed.”

While this study hasn’t yet been replicated in humans, the results underscore the importance of continuing analysis involving marijuana compounds. As we’ve seen since the legalization movement started its rush forward, studies have connected the compounds to multiple promising results, from easing headache symptoms to improving stroke recovery to decreasing seizure severity, among others.

The more we tend to study about the potential of these compounds, the more it looks clear that decades of analysis being blocked by federal law deprived United States of medical advances that are only now beginning to surface.

The study was printed in the journal Oncongene. You can find David DiSalvo on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, and at his web site, daviddisalvo.org.